Pekka Rinne is back, which means Juuse Saros is back to being backup for Predators

Predators goalie Pekka Rinne says he feels great and he's happy to be back in time for game against Tampa Bay Lightning
Paul Skrbina, The Tennessean

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) makes a save on a shot by the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)(Photo: Chris O'Meara, AP)

Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday.(Photo: Chris O'Meara, AP)

That his return coincided with a meeting between Eastern and Western Conference points leaders only added to the appeal for Rinne.

"It’s never my call," Rinne said. "But I’d rather play a good team than a not-so-good team."

Two of Rinne's saves occurred during a sequence in the first period that saw him stonewall Tyler Johnson on one side of the net, then contort his body in time to stop Brayden Point on the other.

Predators coach Peter Laviolette called Rinne's play "brilliant" and "unbelievable."

"That's what we expect from him, and that's what he expects from himself," said Ryan Johansen, who had two assists.

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) makes a save on a shot by Nashville Predators right wing Ryan Hartman (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Ross D. Franklin, AP

Nashville Predators center Rocco Grimaldi (23) jukes San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones (31) during the third period to score during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (22) and center Rocco Grimaldi (23) celebrate after a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) and center Ryan Johansen (92) react at the end of the game against the Dallas Stars during overtime at American Airlines Center. Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) is congratulated by teammates after his goal during the first period against the Bruins at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Predators teammates congratulate right wing Ryan Hartman (38) after his first goal during the second period against the Golden Knights at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Predators right wing Ryan Hartman (38) is congratulated after his second goal against the Golden Knights during the second period at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) congratulates left wing Filip Forsberg (9) after his third goal for a "hat trick" against the Oilers during the third period at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) is congratulated by teammates after his second goal against the Oilers during the third period at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) congratulates left wing Filip Forsberg (9) after his goal against the Oilers during the second period at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

A Predators ice girl collects hats from the ice after Predators left wing Filip Forsberg scored three goals for a hat trick against the Oilers during the third period at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33), of Sweden, jumps to get out of the way of a shot by a teammate as New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid (1) defends his net during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Newark, N.J. Julio Cortez / AP

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg, left, of Sweden, celebrates his goal against the New Jersey Devils with teammates during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Newark, N.J. The Predators won 4-3 in overtime. Julio Cortez / AP

Oct. 23: Sharks 5, Predators 4: Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) takes a drink during a break in the action during the second period against the Sharks at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Predators center Colton Sissons (10) fights for the puck against the boards with Sharks center Antti Suomela (40) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks a shot on goal against the Sharks during the third period at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) gathers a puck as he protects the goal during the second period against the Sharks at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Oct. 13: Predators 5, Islanders 2: Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) reaches for the puck during the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Mark Humphrey/ AP

Nashville Predators center Kyle Turris (8) scores a goal against New York Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner (40), of Sweden, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Mark Humphrey, AP

The goal by Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) gets by Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) in the third period of the home opener at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) fights for the puck against New York Islanders center Tanner Fritz (11) and New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy (2) during the first period at Barclays Center. Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports

Nashville Predators' P.K. Subban (76) celebrates with Mattias Ekholm (14) after scoring a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, in New York. The Predators won 3-2. Frank Franklin II / AP

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) skates back to his net after the Nashville Predators scored an empty net goal during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Adam Hunger / USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 13: Predators 5, Islanders 2: Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) reaches for the puck during the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Mark Humphrey/ AP

Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) makes a stop after replacing Pekka Rinne (35) in the third period in game 1 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bridgestone Arena Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends against Colorado Avalanche left wing Blake Comeau (14) during the third period of game 3 of the first round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center, Monday, April 16, 2018, in Denver, Colo. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) plays the puck during the third period of game 3 of the first round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center, Monday, April 16, 2018, in Denver, Colo. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) makes a save against an attack in the third period as the Nashville Predators play the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena
Saturday Dec. 30, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Predators goalie Juuse Saros wipes his face in front of a benched Pekka Rinne during the second period of Game 5 on Thursday.
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) wipes his face in front of a benched goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during the second period of game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Thursday, June 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) blocks a shot during the second period of game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Thursday, June 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) was put in goal after the three-goal onslaught by the Penguins during the third period of game 2 in the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Wednesday, May 31, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

From left, P.A. Parenteau, Miikka Salomaki, Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators make their way through a crowd of fans Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tenn. Josie Norris / The Tennessean

Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (56) celebrates with goalie Juuse Saros (74) and his teammates after his goal won game three in the first-round NHL playoff series at the Bridgestone Arena, Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

The Blues' Jori Lehtera shoots on Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros during the second period on Friday.
St. Louis Blues' Jori Lehtera, of Finland, shoots on Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros, of Finland, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, in St. Louis. Billy Hurst / AP

Nashville goalie Juuse Saros makes a save on a shot as Ryan Ellis, left, attempts to move St. Louis' Alexander Steen out from in front of the net during the second period on Friday. Billy Hurst, Billy Hurst, AP

Goalie Juuse Saros, left, and Jimmy Vesey talk as they come off the ice after practice during the Predators' annual rookie development camp this week at Centennial Sportsplex.
Goalie Juuse Saros (1), left, and Jimmy Vesey (61) , talks as they come off the ice after practice as Predators hold their annual rookie development camp this week at Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville, Tenn. July 8, 2015. Samuel M. Simpkins / File / The Tenness

Gotta have faith

Forward Ryan Hartman said Thursday that having a duo such as Rinne and Saros wins teams some extra games that might not otherwise have been expected.

He pointed to the duo of Corey Crawford and Scott Darling a few years ago when he was with the Blackhawks as an example.

"It’s good to have that 1-2 punch in the back end," Hartman said. "Sometimes you're playing back-to-back with a team that might not have a lot of faith in their backup. They make sure to try to get that first game, and the second game is, if they do win, it’s kind of a bonus.

"When you have this kind of goaltending, you have a chance to win every one of those games."

So far, so good for Saros

Before the season, Predators coach Peter Laviolette promised that Saros would be seeing more playing time than a typical backup.

The reasons were several. Chief among them, Rinne, in the final year of his contract, isn't getting any younger. Grooming Saros now could pay dividends in the future – and the present. And, well, in the eyes of his coaches, Saros has earned it.

"It’s nice to hear the guys trust in me," Saros said. "I played for a little bit in this league already, so I kind of know I’m capable of that. But I can still improve and be better each game."

The only way to do that is by playing.

Reach Paul Skrbina at pskrbina@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.